It’s a nice old expression, “Free as a bird!” but it may contain a smattering of false hope. Though I’m not a birder, I enjoy watching a hummingbird or seeing a Scarlet Tanager . Who doesn’t like watching eagles catching the updraft as they soar heavenward?
This simple photo of shorebirds, has one of my favorite – an oystercatcher which doesn’t actually catch oysters but just has a powerful beak which enables it to open oysters up and enjoy a “high priced” meal for free.
Of course gulls and crows are scavengers always looking for a free lunch from a fisherman friend or high tide treasure.
When the herring arrive, thousands of gulls descend for the feast on the herring eggs floating in the sea or that have washed ashore. It’s also an opportunity to catch and eat some herring.
When the salmon are running, hundreds of eagles follow their watery journey, and gorge on their fresh or rotting once silver bodies as they head to their spawning ground.
I’ve had the real pleasure of taming chickadees to eat from my hand – evening grosbeaks will learn to trust and do the same. All you need is some sunflower seeds and a rath
er large amount of patience.
This photo as the others was taken near our home and is a Western Tanager.
Getting back to the freedom statement – Jesus told us in John 8:32, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you FREE.” I like that very much, but what is this based on? We only have to go back one verse to get His drift. Verse 31 states, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth and the truth WILL set you FREE.”
Am I as free as a bird? I am free from the guilt and shame that came with the sin in my life, because by His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead I have been given the gift of eternal life, with sins forgiven.
I am not free to do as I please but I’m free to hold on to His teaching and to do all He asks of me – to love God with all my being, to love my neighbor as myself, walk by faith, not sight and many other wonderful things.